Ski neck tie

ABSTRACT

A necktie having an insert which causes the end of the necktie to flare out from the torso of the wearer, much like the tip of a ski. The necktie may have designs or printing thereon so as to more closely resemble a ski. The necktie which may be shaped in planform so as to more closely resemble the end of a ski: narrow and sharply pointed, or relatively rounded on the end and wider at the end than in the middle, or a very wide planform and bluntly rounded end, or shaped like a water ski, wake board, surf board, kite board, skate board, scooter, and other types of skis and boards. The invention may also comprise a retrofit insert which may be placed into a pre-existing necktie in order to render it ski shaped, and a method of advertising using the tie.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/415,185 filed Sep. 30, 2002 in thename of the same inventor, Stephen M. Kaczmarek and entitled SKI NECKTIE.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

[0002] This invention was not made under contract with an agency of theU.S. Government, nor by any agency of the U.S. Government.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to clothing and specifically topromotional neck ties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The manufacture of clothing designed for promotional purposes orto be otherwise eye catching normally involves the use of printing on arelatively two dimensional clothing surface. In general, the most commonexample is the silk screened tee-shirt. Such items are often given awayas promotions or sold based upon the human desire to identify with afavorite person, idea, musical group or so on. Other items of clothingare occasionally silk-screen printed as well.

[0005] For example, neck ties having printing on the front surface mayused in a variety of ways: they may have written messages, logos,images, lights, noticeable patterns and so on. Messages includereligious messages or sports cheers. Logos include the marks of famousproducts, sports teams and so on. Images may be the faces of famous realor fictional individuals, lights may be used to create a “twinkling”Christmas tree and so on. In addition to printing, in the case ofneckties such messages may even be woven into the fabric of which thetie is made, then the tie constructed so as to display the messageproperly. It is also possible to change the planform of the necktie, forexample, U.S. Design Pat. D432,757 issued Oct. 31, 2000 to Yoon for“Necktie” shows a sharply pointed tip. However, this necktie, likeothers, sits more or less flat to the torso of the wearer. In addition,it does not “resemble” anything other than a necktie.

[0006] In general, all of these methods are “two-dimensional”: thenecktie lies flat to the torso of the wearer. Furthermore, neckties arenot generally made to resemble anything other than in fact a necktieitself.

[0007] Neck ties need not be so limited, however. It is possible to makeneckties in non-two dimensional patterns and shapes.

[0008] Promotion of skis and ski related items has its own problems. Forexample, visual effects are always important in sales and promotion, yetit is not normally possible to bring a set of skis to a meeting with aclient. Sales representatives need some eye-catching device to replaceskis in such situations. Often, brand recognition of a ski may extendstrongly to the ski itself as an image, with its eye-catching graphicaldesigns, but the name may be much less evocative.

[0009] Similarly, endorsements made by professional skiers or other skiprofessionals may be weakened for the same reason: the individual promay not be able to carry their skis everywhere without lookingridiculous, yet the image of the skier and the ski would be absolutelythe most positive image which the advertiser could hope for.

[0010] It is also desirable to send the typical skier home with amemento of a good ski trip, resort, or event, but the typical mementodoes not then advertise the trip further to the skier's co-workers,friends, acquaintances, and passers by. Showing a trail map, logo, orother distinctive ad right on the happy skier would be advantageous.

[0011] Stores, resorts, ski teams at the international, college, highschool, professional and other levels, ski makers, ski equipment makers,ski destinations such as nations, states, cities, as well as Olympicevents, competitive events, tournaments, or even businesses andorganizations peripherally related to skiing, and of course skiers whosimply wish to identify their avocation may all benefit from an easyvisual way to identify themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION General Summary

[0012] The present invention comprises a necktie in having an insertwhich causes the end of the necktie to flare out from the torso of thewearer, much like the tip of a ski. The result is a neck tie thatresembles a ski, and may advantageously be decorated with the markingsof a ski equipment manufacturer, a ski resort or other ski relatedentity or product. The necktie may itself also be printed with designssuch as those found upon a ski, or have attachments which resembleattachments to a ski.

[0013] The invention further comprises a necktie which is shaped inplanform so as to more closely resemble the end of a ski. For example,cross country skis tend to be narrow and possess a relatively sharppoint: such a neck tie may be fashioned with the insert previouslymentioned and a planform which is also narrow and pointed. Otherpossible planforms of necktie may resemble a down hill ski (relativelyrounded on the end and possibly wider at the end than in the middle), asnow board (having a very wide planform and bluntly rounded end), awater ski, wake board, surf board, kite board, skate board, scooter, andother types of skis and boards.

[0014] The invention further comprises a retrofit insert which may beplaced into a pre-existing necktie in order to render it ski shaped.

[0015] The invention further allows advertising by means of the necktie.

Summary in Reference to Claims

[0016] It is a first aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie insert comprising: a flat bodyhaving a raised end; the insert dimensioned and configured to fit withinthe end of such necktie, the insert being shaped so as to resemble thetip of a ski in elevation; the insert when disposed within such necktiedeforming such neck tie to resemble the tip of a ski in elevation.

[0017] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie insert wherein the insert isfurther shaped so as to resemble the tip of a ski in planform.

[0018] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie insert wherein the insert is madeof a pliable material having sufficient flexibility to allow the raisedend to flatten when worn under clothing.

[0019] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie comprising a long folded clothhaving an end and having an interior space within the folds; and aninsert dimensioned and configured to fit within the interior space atthe end, the insert being shaped so as to resemble the tip of a ski, theinsert deforming the neck tie so as to resemble the tip of a ski.

[0020] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie wherein the insert resembles thetip of a ski in planform.

[0021] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie wherein the insert resembles thetip of a ski in elevation.

[0022] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie wherein the cloth is printed witha colorful image selected from the group consisting of: advertisingmaterial, an image of a ski, the trademark of a ski relatedorganizations, a trail map and combinations thereof.

[0023] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie wherein the cloth is printed fromtip to tail with the colorful image.

[0024] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a necktie wherein the insert is made of apliable material having sufficient flexibility to allow the raised endto flatten when worn under clothing.

[0025] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising comprisingmanufacturing a necktie having an end resembling the tip of a ski; andwearing the necktie.

[0026] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising wherein the step ofmanufacturing the necktie to have an end resembling a ski tip furthercomprises the following substep: inserting an insert dimensioned andconfigured to fit within the end of the necktie, the insert being shapedso as to resemble the tip of a ski, the insert being disposed within thenecktie and deforming the necktie into its own shape.

[0027] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising further comprisingthe step of: pre-printing the necktie with a colorful image.

[0028] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising wherein the step ofpre-printing the necktie with a colorful image further comprises:selecting for the image one member selected from the group consistingof: advertising material, an image of a ski, the trademark of a skirelated organizations, a trail map and combinations thereof.

[0029] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising wherein the step ofpre-printing the necktie with a colorful image further comprises:printing the necktie from tip to tail with the colorful image.

[0030] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment, and objective of thepresent invention to provide a method of advertising wherein the step ofwearing the necktie further comprises: wearing the necktie at a time orplace when carrying a ski would be inappropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a PRIOR ART necktie, showing the visiblearea of the necktie.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a hidden-line/transparent plan view of a necktieaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing thevisible area of the necktie.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a necktie according to the firstembodiment of the invention, showing the tail of the necktie.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a side view of the insert of the invention according toa second embodiment of the invention, showing the three dimensionalnature of the insert.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of the invention worn over ashirt so as to be visible.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the invention worn over ashirt but under a coat or other garment and flattened thereby so as tobe hidden.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037]2 Prior Art Necktie

[0038]4 Necktie

[0039]6 Insert

[0040]8 Tail End

[0041]10 Insert

[0042]12 Curved End

[0043]14 Flat Body

[0044]16 Necktie

[0045]18 Raised End

[0046]20 Tail End

[0047]22 Shirt

[0048]24 Coat

DESCRIPTION

[0049]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a PRIOR ART necktie. Necktie 2 is verypliable cloth or other fabric having two ends, only one of which isvisible. The visible end is usually comparatively broad in respect tothe parts of the necktie which are not visible: the middle and tail ofthe tie. The broad visible end creates a visible area of the tie whichmay be easily viewed: it is customary to make the visible area of apleasing color, pattern or design. In addition, it is known to haveimages, art, messages and other materials on the visible area of thenecktie. The visible area ends in a fairly standard “point” althoughother shapes are known. The colorful image or colorful design maycomprise advertising material, an image of a ski, the trademark of a skirelated organizations, a trail map and combinations thereof.

[0050] The necktie is normally comprised of several folds of the clothor fabric. Thus the visible surface/visible area/visible end is of clothor fabric which is wider than the actual visible surface: the excessfolds under the visible area at the edges. In most commonly availableneckties, the two folds at the edges are wide enough that they in factmeet near the middle of the necktie behind the visible surface, wherethey may be connected to one another by means of sewing, or by means ofstitching, or by means of a small number of stitches (“tacking”),adhesives, or by other means. In general, such folding creates a tiehaving a lateral cross-section much like a “squashed tube”. If the foldsof excess material do not meet in the middle, the interior of the “tube”may be partially open at the back. Some types of ties do not have suchfolds of excess material and are thus entirely open at the back.However, even neckties having an entirely open back to the visiblesurface are normally comprised of multiple ply or multi-layered: thevisible surface is one piece of fabric, sewn or stitched at or near itsedge to a second piece of fabric which serves as backing. In eithercase, a substantially flat internal space exists between the folds orplies of the necktie. In the commercially successful presently preferredembodiment, the necktie is made from 100% silk, but similar materialssuch as polymers, wools, cottons, linens, and composites thereof andsimilar materials may be used instead. For added resemblance to a ski,extremely high gloss materials which are normally considered unsuitableto a necktie might be used in very alternative embodiments: softplastics, rubbers, etc. Care for the tie when used with a pliable insertbecomes identical to care of any other tie of the same material.

[0051] In prior art neckties, the visible area of the necktie lies inconformity to the contours of the wearer's underlying clothing. Undernormal conditions, this means that the tie will be roughly vertical andalmost flat to the front of the wearer's torso.

[0052]FIG. 2 is a hidden-line/transparent plan view of a necktie 4according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing thevisible area of the necktie 4. It will be seen that in planform, thenecktie 4 is made to resemble the front end of a ski. In the embodimentshown, the front end is rather rounded, thus tending to resemble atraditional, straight downhill ski. However, in other embodiments, otherplanforms are possible. For example, cross country skis tend to benarrow with an end which rounds out to possess a relatively sharp pointat the extreme tip: a neck tie may be fashioned to resemble this byhaving a planform which is also rather narrow and also narrows in acurvilinear fashion to a tip which is relatively pointed. Other possibleplanforms of necktie may resemble a more modern down hill ski(relatively rounded on the end and possibly wider at the end than in themiddle), a snow board (having a very wide planform and bluntly roundedend), a water ski, wake board, surf board, kite board, skate board,scooter, and other types of skis and boards.

[0053] Visible in the hidden line/transparent view provided in FIG. 2 isinsert 6. Insert 6 is fashioned of a material such as a plastic, otherpolymer, wood, metal, or other similar materials able to hold a thinthree dimensional shape. In the presently preferred embodiment and bestmode now contemplated for carrying out the invention, insert 6 is aplastic. Insert 6 is approximately the same size in plan as the visiblesurface of necktie 4. The term “approximately the same size” as usedherein indicates that insert 6 will fit into the inside of necktie 4,either between folds as discussed previously or actually inside of theplies of necktie 4 in those cases in which necktie 4 has no folds.Insert 6 may be disposed within necktie 4 at the time of manufacture orat a later time when a quantity or individual necktie 4 is modified.Thus, for advertising purposes, an entity might purchase a number ofneckties of ordinary cross-section and a number of inserts, then placethe inserts within the neckties.

[0054] In the method presently used with the invention, the customer isan organization which orders a quantity of the ties and supplies to themanufacturer a colorful image/design in up to 10 colors based upon thetie maker's template, and this may even by supplied electronically as afile containing a file in such a format as .pdf, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, etcetc. Standard PMS color numbers may be used, so as to virtuallyguarantee a “true color” match which might not be provided in ancomputer image file format. The printing may be front only, front andback, and may extend from tip to tail of the necktie.

[0055] Insert 6 may be of a material stiff enough that it would preventflexing and thus tying of necktie 4 around the neck of the wearer ifinsert 6 were to extend the length of necktie 4. For that reason, insert6 may advantageously and in the preferred embodiment is of a length lessthan the length of the visible surface of necktie 4 as measured fromknot to tip. In one preferred embodiment, insert 6 is roughly 9 inches(roughly 23 centimeters) in length and roughly one third that width. Inalternative embodiments, insert 6 may be of any dimension suitable forreplicating the appearance of a ski.

[0056] Insert 6 has a raised end, the raised end is situationcoterminously with the end of the visible surface of necktie 4. Theelevation of raised end 6 may increase in a manner evocative, resemblingor exactly identical to the elevation of a ski tip, as appropriate ornecessary for the embodiment desired. The body of insert 6, which may beshorter than the raised end, the same length as the raised end or longerthan the raised end depending upon the embodiment, is substantially flatand situated further up the body of necktie 4.

[0057] In use, the body of necktie 4 and insert 6 lie almost vertical,approximately flat to the chest of the wearer (although the exactcontour will be determined by the clothing of the wearer). Theraised/elevated end of insert 6, however forcing the end of necktie 4 toitself, will lift the end of necktie 4 away from the wearer, causing theend of the necktie to project outwards from the torso of the wearer andgiving the appearance of a ski.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, the invention may advantageously beused for advertisement of ski related equipment and services, skis, orany product shaped like a ski. For example, a necktie might containslogans, logos, words, and images relating to skiing or themanufacturer. In yet another alternative embodiment, the invention maybe printed, dyed or otherwise manufactured so as to actually present theappearance of a ski in terms of color, texture, matt, gloss, shine,design, logo and so on. Since many manufacturers of skis, ski relatedproducts, or ski shaped products tend to place their name and or logoonto their skis, an accurate representation of the ski may include thename and logo as they would normally be rendered onto a ski, as well ascustomary trade dress and so on.

[0059] In alternative embodiments, equipment which is used attached toskis, that is equipment such as ski bindings, brakes, foot cuffs, toeholds, safety straps and so on may be imprinted onto necktie 4 or evenrepresented in three dimensional model form, attached to the necktie asit would be to a ski. For example, small plastic foot cuffs may beattached to a neck tie to aid the appearance of being a snow board, orelasticized miniature safety straps might be sewn on to mimic full sizedsafety straps. An embodiment designed to resemble a scooter might have aplastic wheel suspended from a tip of the same shape as the tip of ascooter.

[0060]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a necktie according to the firstembodiment of the invention, showing the tail 8 of necktie 4. Tail 8 ofnecktie 4 may be shortened, for example by being manufactured to beshorter or by being sewn or glued back, in order to prevent tail 8 fromprotruding beyond the tip of necktie 4 and degrading the resemblance toa ski. The shape in planform of tail 8 may also be altered, for exampleto a square shape as shown in FIG. 3, for the same purpose: the tail ofa ski is normally square. Other shapes are also acceptable infurtherance of the goal of maintaining the ski-like appearance ofnecktie 4.

[0061]FIG. 4 is a side view of the insert of the invention according toa second embodiment of the invention, showing the three dimensionalnature of insert 10. In this embodiment, insert 10 may be manufacturedseparately from any necktie and used by purchasers with any necktie theymay select. Insert 10 of this embodiment as described below may bestructurally identical to insert 6 of the preferred embodiment or may beadapted to easy insertion and removal from a number of neckties. This isnot the presently preferred embodiment, at the present time, thepreferred embodiment is as discussed previously: the tie and insert willbe sewn together so that the insert cannot be removed in the best modenow contemplated, and in the preferred embodiment the insert will not besold separately.

[0062] Insert 10 has curved end 12 and flat body 14 which combine toprovide a cross-section resembling a ski. When inserted into a necktie(either as part of the preferred embodiment or as an alternativeembodiment) insert 10 will cause the necktie to assume the shape ofinsert 10. When the necktie hangs down on the wearer's torso, insert 10will cause it to stick out at the end of the visible area and thusresemble a ski. This embodiment of the invention may be used withneckties of any appearance, not just those resembling skis in design orplanform.

[0063] In alternative embodiments, insert 10 may be attached to the backof the visible area of the necktie, rather than inserted into thenecktie, however such embodiments are not the presently preferredembodiment.

[0064] For ease of manufacturing, it has been found to be advantageousto form the three dimensional ski shape of the insert after insertioninto the neck tie. Thus in embodiments, the insert may be ski shaped inplanform at the time of insertion. After insertion, the insert may begiven its three dimensional “ski tip” shape as shown in FIG. 4 anddiscussed previously.

[0065] There are several methods by which this may be arranged. Theinsert may be reshaped by means of pressure or molding. A press or othersimilar device may be used for this operation, which is especiallysuitable for metallic inserts. Due to the inherent flexibility of thefabric of the necktie, the necktie itself is not damaged by thisprocess.

[0066] A polymer/plastic insert may also be pressed or molded into shapein the same manner. Temperature is also of assistance in shaping theinsert after insertion when a polymer/plastic insert is utilized. Forexample, a plastic having a first temperature at which it may be easilymolded and a second, higher temperature at which it actually melts maybe heated to or above the first temperature but may be kept below thesecond temperature. At the first temperature, the insert may be molded,then cooled. This allows a combination of pressure and temperature to beused in the operation, or either may be used alone.

[0067] The insert may be so reshaped after insertion and after beingsewn or otherwise fastened in place, or it may be inserted and reshapedbefore sewing (in a presently not preferred embodiment) or it may bere-shaped at the same time as insertion or sewing or other operationsare carried out.

[0068] In embodiments in which temperature is utilized during theafter-insertion re-shaping process, it is important that thepolymer/plastic and the fabric be selected so that the point at whichthe fabric takes damage from the heating is a higher temperature thanthat used to reshape the insert within.

[0069]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of the invention worn over ashirt so as to be visible, while FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side viewof the invention worn over a shirt but under a coat or other garment andflattened thereby so as to be hidden.

[0070] In the presently preferred embodiments and best mode nowcontemplated for carrying out the invention, necktie 16 has an insertwhich is made of a pliable material such as thin plastic, pliable metal,carbon based composites and so on. Tail end 20 lies relatively flat downalong shirt 22. However, raised end 18 stands out from the shirtprominently.

[0071] It may be advantageous to control the times when such a necktieis visible or first viewed, or it may become necessary for a wearer toconceal the necktie unexpectedly. As shown in FIG. 6, coat 24 (oranother garment such as a sweater) may be worn and due to the pliablenature of the insert, raised end 18 is substantially flattened out.Thus, the insert is made of a pliable material having sufficientflexibility to allow the raised end 18 to flatten when worn underclothing. In addition, the flexibility of the insert must be sufficientto allow the tie to be tied: this flexibility may be present in eitherdimension, length and/or width.

[0072] A method of advertising involves manufacturing a necktie havingthe present invention's end resembling the tip of a ski; and wearing thenecktie. It may be worn by sales representatives, as a form ofendorsement by professional athletes or other ski professionals, skishop clerks, etc. Pre-printing the necktie with a colorful imagebeforehand provides the desired advertising value. Examples of imagesinclude: advertising material, an image of a ski, the trademark of a skirelated organizations, a trail map and combinations thereof. Any ofthese images and any others as well may be selected.

[0073] Since the “advertiser” or wearer need not actually carry a realski to nonetheless appear with the image of the ski, the advertising mayoccur simply by wearing the necktie at a time or place when carrying aski would be inappropriate. Examples of this include warm weather,locations far from ski trails, indoor locations, press conferences,trade shows, business meetings, sales meetings, vehicle interiors, andso on.

[0074] The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the invention bythose skilled in the art without undue experimentation, including thebest mode presently contemplated and the presently preferred embodiment.Nothing in this disclosure is to be taken to limit the scope of theinvention, which is susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents andsubstitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The scope of the invention is to be understood from theclaims accompanying this disclosure.

1. A necktie insert comprising: a flat body having a raised end; theinsert dimensioned and configured to fit within the end of such necktie,the insert being shaped so as to resemble the tip of a ski in elevation;the insert when disposed within such necktie deforming such neck tie toresemble the tip of a ski in elevation.
 2. The necktie insert of claim1, wherein the insert is further shaped so as to resemble the tip of aski in planform.
 3. The necktie insert of claim 1, wherein the insert ismade of a pliable material having sufficient flexibility to allow theraised end to flatten when worn under clothing.
 4. (blank)
 5. A necktiecomprising: a long folded cloth having an end and having an interiorspace within the folds; and an insert dimensioned and configured to fitwithin the interior space at the end, the insert being shaped so as toresemble the tip of a ski, the insert deforming the neck tie so as toresemble the tip of a ski.
 6. The necktie of claim 5, wherein the insertresembles the tip of a ski in planform.
 7. The necktie of claim 5,wherein the insert resembles the tip of a ski in elevation.
 8. Thenecktie of claim 5, wherein the cloth is printed with a colorful imageselected from the group consisting of: advertising material, an image ofa ski, the trademark of a ski related organizations, a trail map andcombinations thereof.
 9. The necktie of claim 8, wherein the cloth isprinted from tip to tail with the colorful image.
 10. The necktie ofclaim 7, wherein the insert is made of a pliable material havingsufficient flexibility to allow the raised end to flatten when wornunder clothing.
 11. (blank)
 12. An method of advertising comprising:manufacturing a necktie having an end resembling the tip of a ski; andwearing the necktie.
 13. The method of advertising of claim 12, whereinthe step of manufacturing the necktie to have an end resembling a skitip further comprises the following substep: inserting an insertdimensioned and configured to fit within the end of the necktie, theinsert being shaped so as to resemble the tip of a ski, the insert beingdisposed within the necktie and deforming the necktie into its ownshape.
 14. The method of advertising of claim 12, further comprising thestep of: pre-printing the necktie with a colorful image.
 15. The methodof advertising of claim 14, wherein the step of pre-printing the necktiewith a colorful image further comprises: selecting for the image onemember selected from the group consisting of: advertising material, animage of a ski, the trademark of a ski related organizations, a trailmap and combinations thereof.
 16. The method of advertising of claim 14,wherein the step of pre-printing the necktie with a colorful imagefurther comprises: printing the necktie from tip to tail with thecolorful image.
 17. The method of advertising of claim 14, wherein thestep of wearing the necktie further comprises: wearing the necktie at atime or place when carrying a ski would be inappropriate.